DE102006007832A1 - Ignition system for a gas turbine engine - Google Patents

Abstract

In an ignition system for a gas turbine engine, the current (P1, P2) provided for two ignition units (1, 2) is supplied via a normal bus (11, 11 '; 15, 15') and an emergency bus (12, 12 '; 16, 16 ') comprising power supply bus (10; 14) and a relay (13, 17) connected to the respective power supply line to the respective ignition unit. If the power supply in a supply line for the current (P1 or P2) fails, the relevant relay automatically switches mechanically to the other power supply line, so that if the power supply to one or the other ignition unit is interrupted - for whatever reason - its power supply will still be available is guaranteed.

Description

The The invention relates to an ignition system for a gas turbine engine, each with first and second spark plugs connected first and second ignition units, each with a first and second power bus and a first and second control unit for activating the power supply connected are.

ignition systems of the above kind to ignite of the introduced into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine Fuel when starting the engine are well known. In principle, only one ignition unit and one spark plug are required for starting necessary, however, for safety and all operating conditions, for example for a continuous ignition in extremely high humidity or when restarting one during the Flight operation failed engine to meet a combined System of two ignition units supplied by the aircraft with DC or AC power and each installed on this connected spark plug. Equally are also for electronic engine control control two control units provided, each of the two electronic engine control units in each case to both ignition units connected to the power supply of both control units to the ignition units to signal and thus the generation of the required ignition voltage for the ignition trigger. To the respective ignition unit each is a power bus for providing the power (P1 or P2) connected.

The previously described combined ignition system from two ignition units and two spark plugs is however, then not sufficiently safe to function, if for some reason the energy supply over one or the other power bus to the relevant ignition unit not guaranteed is.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of an ignition system of the type mentioned to be trained with simple means in such a way that even if you fail one of the two power supplies yet the function of the relevant ignition unit and so that the entire ignition system is ensured.

According to the invention Task with an ignition system according to the characteristics of claim 1.

Of the Essence of the invention consists in other words in the supply of the for every Ignition unit provided Current P1 and P2 over a power bus each comprising a normal bus and an emergency bus and one to the power supply line electrically connected relay to the respective ignition unit. In case of failure of the power supply P1 to the one (first) ignition coil is the previously supplied with power from the normal bus relay de-energized and thus mechanically (automatically) on the not with the relay switched emergency bus connected so that the relevant ignition unit with for the other (second) ignition coil provided current P2 can be supplied. By means of an analogue Arrangement, the other (second) ignition coil usually with the current P2 supplied and in case of failure of the corresponding power supply for the power P2 with a relay automatically to the power supply for the power P1 switched.

Consequently is ensured by simple technical means that in case of failure in the respective power supply to the relevant ignition unit Nevertheless, immediately ensured the required power supply is, even if a relay should fail, because also in this case automatically (mechanically) switched to the other power supply becomes. In addition, the control unit in question when switching to the other power supply receive a signal via a Error in the power supply or the relay informed.

advantageous Further developments of the invention are part of the dependent claims.

One embodiment The invention is based on the drawing, in the only figure a block diagram of an ignition system for a Gas turbine engine is shown, with which even in the case of absence one of the power supply lines ensures the power supply of one of the two ignition units is.

According to the block diagram, the ignition system comprises two first and second ignition units 1 and 2 , which have first and second ignition wires 3 and 4 with first and second spark plugs arranged in the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine 5 and 6 are connected. To generate the spark 7 is - according to the present embodiment - on the ignition units 1 and 2 an alternating voltage of, for example, 115V. The activation of the power supply is, however, by a signal "on" from one of the two control units 8th and 9 of the gas turbine engine, wherein the ignition unit 1 the first control unit 8th and the ignition unit 2 the second control unit 9 the engine is assigned and in the present case, the ignition unit 1 the "on" command from the first control unit 8th receives energy.

The for the production of the spark 7 on one of the spark plugs 5 or 6 , here the spark plug 5 , required energy P1 and P2 becomes each ignition Ness 1 and 2 via a first power bus 10 , the first normal bus 11 . 11 ' (P1 _{norm, phase} , P1 _{norm, neutral} ) and a first emergency bus 12 . 12 ' (P2 _{not, phase} , P2 _not ) and associated with this first electromechanical relay 13 includes, as well as a second power bus 14 which, however, arranged in mirror image relative to the first normal and emergency bus, has a second normal bus 15 . 15 ' and a second emergency bus 16 . 16 ' and a second electromechanical relay associated therewith 17 comprises, supplied. The first relay 13 is electrically connected to the first normal bus for supplying the current P1 11 . 11 ' connected while the second relay 17 electrically to supply the current P2 with the second emergency bus 16 . 16 ' connected is.

The individual lines (phase and neutral) of the normal bus 11 . 11 '; 15 . 15 ' and the emergency bus 12 . 12 '; 16 . 16 ' are alternately arranged in the power supply bus and respectively via the relevant relay 13 respectively. 17 connected. In the present embodiment, the two relays' 13 and 17 the two ignition units 1 and 2 upstream in the form of an additional box. However, the relay 'can also in the respective ignition unit 1 . 2 or in the respective control unit 8th . 9 be integrated.

As the drawing shows, receives the first ignition unit 1 from the first control unit 8th a signal "on" to the power supply (P1) via the normal bus 11 . 11 ' and the first relay 13 ultimately, the spark (s) 7 at the spark plug 5 to create. If the power supply P1 over the normal bus 11 . 11 ' is interrupted due to a fault, the relay becomes 13 de-energized and its spring-loaded switch 18 connect the first ignition unit 1 automatically with the emergency bus 12 . 12 ' (phase and neutral) to supply the current P2 now. Analog would also be the power supply of the second ignition unit with a corresponding "on" command 2 done via the second emergency bus 16 . 16 ' in the power bus 14 supplied with energy P2. Unless the power supply with energy P2 via this emergency bus 16 . 16 ' fails, are now no longer held by the relay spring-loaded switch 19 of the second relay 17 mechanically to the connections (phase and neutral) of the responsible for the supply of energy P1 normal bus 15 . 15 ' adjusted.

Consequently is guaranteed that the ignition coil whose Power supply has failed, yet is powered.

1

first ignition unit

2

second ignition unit

3

first Ignition

4

second Ignition

5

first spark plug

6

second spark plug

7

spark

8th

first control unit

9

second control unit

10

first power bus

11 11 '

first Normal bus (P1norm)

12 12 '

first Emergency bus (P2not)

13

first relay

14

second power bus

15 15 '

second Normal bus (P1norm)

16 16 '

second Emergency bus (P2not)

17

second relay

Claims (4)

Ignition system for a gas turbine engine, each with first and second spark plugs ( 5 ; 6 ) connected first and second ignition units ( 1 ; 2 ), each with a first and second power bus ( 10 ; 14 ) for a stream (P1; P2) and a first and second control unit ( 8th ; 9 ) are connected to activate the power supply, characterized in that each power supply bus ( 10 ; 14 ) each have a normal bus ( 11 . 11 '; 15 . 15 ' ) for the current P1 and in each case an emergency bus ( 12 . 12 '; 16 . 16 ' ) for the current P2 and one relay each ( 13 ; 17 ) located in the first power supply bus ( 10 ) electrically with the normal bus ( 11 . 11 ' ) for the current P1 and in the second power supply bus ( 14 ) electrically with the emergency bus ( 16 . 16 ' ) is connected to the current P2, and in case of failure automatically mechanically to the other power supply of the respective power bus ( 10 ; 14 ) switches. Ignition system according to claim 1, characterized in that the relay ( 13 ; 17 ) of the ignition unit ( 1 . 2 ) is placed in a separate box or in the ignition unit ( 1 ; 2 ) or in the control unit ( 8th . 9 ) is integrated. Ignition system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the power supply bus ( 10 ; 14 ) the individual lines of the normal bus and the emergency bus are arranged alternately. Ignition according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the normal and emergency bus in the second power supply bus mirror image to normal and Emergency bus are arranged in the first power bus.